“The political instability in Yemen has not forced us to suspend our counter-terrorism operations,” White House spokesperson Eric Schultz said, adding the United States still has partners in the Yemeni security forces to carry out counterterrorism efforts.
President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, the cabinet and prime minister all resigned citing interference by Houthi militias, shrouding the future of a key country in the US counterterrorism efforts against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
The Pentagon said last week the United States would still be able to carry out counterterrorism operations in the country, despite the opaque situation on the ground.
Reports on Monday, citing Yemeni security officials, said a US drone strike killed three AQAP members. US officials deem AQAP to be the most dangerous and sophisticated branch of the global terrorist group. The Houthis have also been fighting AQAP.
The United States has carried out approximately 100 drone strikes in Yemen since 2002, killing around 600 AQAP members and several dozen civilians, according to a drone strike tally of the Council on Foreign Relations.
